July 30, 2025
UW aeronautics professor goes for ride-along with the Blue Angels
UW professor of aeronautics and astronautics Jim Hermanson took a ride Wednesday morning aboard a U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet — better known as one of the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron.
Shortly before 9 a.m., the Blue Angel jet with Hermanson aboard roared above the UW. Back safely on the ground, Hermanson said he enjoyed talking with the pilot and encountering firsthand what it’s like to to fly aboard high-performance jet aircraft. He experienced an afterburner takeoff, very tight turns and flying up-side down.
“The actual maneuverings are really something,” Hermanson said. “We got up to 7.5 Gs during one of those turns.”
Hermanson is known for his decades of research on topics related to jet and spacecraft propulsion, but this was his first time flying at about 700 mph in a Navy jet. During his time at UW, Hermanson’s been a big supporter of the Navy at the UW: He has hosted high-ranking Navy officials and helped showcase many Navy career opportunities for students.
During Wednesday’s flight, Hermanson told the pilot that he teaches students about acceleration, wing loading and other principles, but his time flying with the Blue Angels will add a deeper dimension.
“I could tell students what it is actually like, the high level of technology, the teamwork needed to make the flight possible and the importance of the Navy to our nation,” Hermanson said.
Former UW President Mark Emmert, who left the UW in 2010, was the last UW faculty member invited to fly aboard the Blue Angels.
The Blue Angels are in Seattle for the annual Seafair Weekend Festival and the Boeing Seafair Air Show.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics • Jim Hermanson